Just wanted to let you know that my dad, R.B. Clanton went home to be with the Lord Wed. May 10th 2006. He was 61 years old and he and mom had just celebrated their 40th anniversary in March.
He was a big man- just a little over 6 feet tall and around 450 lbs. Despite his size, he was healthy in all other regards... No diabetes, normal blood pressure, but he developed heart valve damage after some medication side effects. He had been having heart complications since 1998 and the last 6 months seemed to be really bad.
He had had a good day, was feeling unusually good, he had told my mom that he slept well the night before which was rare. He got up and took a shower then went downtown in Leslie to hang out with some of his buddies. He laughed and told stories with them, and then in a heartbeat he was gone. The whole town of Leslie seemed to stop what they were doing and help. My mom was contacted and got over to him a few minutes before the ambulance left with him. I was able to meet her at the hospital and we got to spend some time with him just after he passed.
His funeral was March 13th and it was a beautiful service. There were close to 250 there and several people were able to share stories and talk about his life and his faith. My mom said she was overcome with peace at his service and graveside service.
Mendy and I sat down and tried to sum up a brief eulogy of who my dad was. I was very hard because there are so many other stories that we could have included.
This is what was read at his funeral:
My Dad
My dad was one of a kind. Anyone who met him knew right away that he was a unique guy. The first thing people noticed about him was his size; he was a big man with a big heart. Everything he did was big--larger than life. Nothing he did was ordinary.
In his early fifties, he went back to college. Most people struggle to finish with just one degree, Dad came away with three Bachelor of Science degrees and a couple of associate degrees.
While most people spend their lives pursuing one career, Dad was truly a jack-of-all-trades. Over the years, he was an accomplished airplane pilot, a water well driller, a truck driver, college instructor, and computer technician. He was also a licensed carpenter, a licensed plumber, a licensed electrician and held countless other certificates. As a matter of fact, he loved taking tests for just about anything. He didn’t just take a test, he passed with flying colors. I knew that if I had a question about anything, Dad would know the answer. He was an avid reader and told me once that when he read he could picture the pages in his mind. We found out later that he had a photographic memory. He took a speed-reading course and scored so high, they made him an instructor.
People who got to know my dad knew that they could count on him for just about anything. He loved in big ways. He always wanted to help those in need, and he never met a stranger. I think he lived to be a servant (but he still liked to be in charge!). He would give the shirt off his back. In fact, he did that on several occasions. For example, Dad saved for several years to buy a coat big enough to fit him; someone asked him where he got a coat that size because they knew a man who needed one. Instead of telling them where he got it, he took it off and gave it to them. He said, “I don’t like wearing a coat anyway.” It always appeared that Dad never had much money, but that was because he loved spending it on other people.
People often wear masks to cover their flaws. I think unlike most people, Dad wore his flaws on the outside—what you saw was what you got. He knew who he was and who he was not. He accepted others for who they were not what they appeared to be: that was one of the many reasons people of all walks-of-life loved to be around him.
Dad also wore his heart on the outside. There wasn’t a person Dad met who didn’t hear all about his family. He and mom just celebrated their 40th anniversary. Dad joked that they were just staying together to see if it was going to work out. To hear him tell it, Sharla and I were the greatest kids God ever gave to any man on earth. Lee and Mendy were pretty special too, after all they were good enough for his kids. But the world stood still when it came to his grandkids. He spent time with each one individually and showered them with enough love to last a lifetime.
Dad also wore his faith on the outside. He loved the Lord and was not ashamed to tell others about Christ. Sure, he was quick with a joke and told some great tales, but he would always come back to the truths of God’s Word.
Yeah, my dad was a big man. He had to be to carry around such a big heart.
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
So sorry for your loss Michael.
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
He sounds like a wonderful guy Michael. You are lucky to have had him for a Dad.
My heart goes out to you and your family.
Suelynn
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Your post has me feeling like I know your dad as well as you. So sorry for your loss Michael.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I offer my condolences to you Michael, but also I wish to emphasize what a tribute that powerful eulogy is.
With the highlights of his attributes blended together with personal anecdotes, it conjures a shadow of your father that seems to illuminate his passing in such a personal way that I feel like I knew him, mourn him & at the same time appreciate him for the man that he was.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Posted by Miles Cullinane (Member # 980) on :
Michael That's what I miss as well, knowing that I can't pick up the phone to quiz him for his knowledge.
Like you, I just lost my dad, at the end of April.
I am sorry for you loss and I know it is a great loss.
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Michael, that was just beautiful. I'm sorry about the loss of your dad. It sounds like he touched a lot of people's hearts. Including us right here on the BB. Thank you for sharing. love....Jill
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
My best wishes to you and your family. Take good care of each other, and be strong.
Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
Sorry to hear your Loss Mike. I lost my dad 3 years ago in March and I still miss him. The hardest part some days is wishing he'd been around to see us accomplish "This" or see our boys do "that"....It gets easier, but not better.
I know we'll see em again in New Jerusalem, but there sure is an empty spot there for now.
I feel your pain.
I hope Darin and the rest of your family are okay. God Bless you Bro.
Barry
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Wonderful words and feelings you've shared with us about your dad.
My heart goes out to you.
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
Best wishes from the Campbells.
Posted by Jeff Spradling (Member # 1615) on :
Sorry for your loss Michael.
Jeff
Posted by Rosemary (Member # 1926) on :
I'm so sorry.
Rosemary
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Your post made me cry and yearn for my dad. I feel your pain.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
my deepest sympathies michael. i just turned 61 may 20th...........
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Our deepest condolenses to you and yours, Michael. May the Lord be with you always.
Bruce and Dana
Posted by Susan Daniel (Member # 6092) on :
I'm sorry for your loss Michael, and for yours as well Miles.. Posted by Charles Borges de Oliveir (Member # 3770) on :
Michael,
I'm sorry to hear that. I lost my Father not too long a go also. Your Family will be in our prayers.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Michael, So sorry about your dad. Peace be with you. May his spirit live on in you and his loved ones. It makes me think of my dad, as we lost him also a few years back. He always had a good story for others, and got a lot of pleasure making people smile.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Michael, Condolences on the loss of your Father. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sharing his eulogy and giving us a glimpse of a great man and Father. Judy
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Michael, I am so sorry to hear about your dad, but so glad to hear that he knew the Lord. That is so very wonderful!
Posted by William Holohan (Member # 2514) on :
Michael, Sympathies and prayers from someone who just got to meet your Dad through your eulogy. Sorry I didn't get to meet him sooner...
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Michael, that's a really nice story, and you're blessed to have had such a man as your father- congratulations- and I'm sorry he had to go so soon, 61 is really young.
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
Michael,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
My Dad passed away in April 2000.
I have said many times that if my children think as highly of me as I do of my Dad after I am gone, then my life was a success.
It sounds like your Dad was a very successful man.
I mourn for your loss, and I congratulate you for having the time that you had with him.
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